The diving board is one of the most popular accessories for a swimming pool. It is a way for kids of all ages to show their creative side when jumping into the water.
From the simplest of jumps to the more complex flips, for a split second, the pool is your stage, and the sky is your audience!
Let’s discover some diving board tricks you can perform the next time you jump into the pool.
Safety Considerations When Jumping
Regardless of what you do in the pool, safety should always be the top priority.
When going off the diving board, ensure you’re not diving too close to the pool’s edges. Also, wait long enough that there are no other swimmers in the landing zone of the deep end
Ultimately, some diving tricks may cause injuries or bruises. Always have someone keeping an eye out during the fun. Know your limits, and don’t push yourself or others to try tricks beyond their comfort zone.
Basic Diving Board Tricks
Basic diving board tricks are the entry point for anyone just starting to experiment with jumping off the diving board. These tricks typically require minimal physical coordination and involve simple body movements or positions.
They’re designed to be accessible and fun for beginners. The primary goal with basic tricks is to get comfortable with the diving board and the sensation of jumping into the water in a controlled way.
Front Dive
A dive is the foundation of all diving board tricks. It’s a simple jump that can be made more stylish with additional twists and turns.
The dive itself isn’t complicated. As you jump off the diving board, move your body forward almost flat and horizontally to the water with arms extended above your head. The aim is to enter the water hands-first, with the body following in a straight line. You can enter the water at different angles, remember to keep the body as flat as possible.
A well-executed dive can leave minimal splash and is a testament to the jumper’s overall body control.
Cannonball
The cannonball is all about creating the biggest splash possible. Simply tuck your knees up and wrap your arms around them before hitting the water. This trick is less about form and more about fun.
Consider having a cannonball competition with your friends to make things more interesting. Whoever has the biggest splash wins!
Pencil Dive
Opposite of the cannonball, a pencil dive aims to make the least amount of splash possible. It is a jump of control and precision.
When jumping off the diving board, stand tall with arms above your head and jump straight into the water feet first. Remember, we want the tiniest splash possible so be as straight as you can be when jumping into the water.
Can Opener
Also known as the ‘Jack-knife,’ the can opener is a similar jump to the cannonball. Where it differs, however, is the way you hold your legs.
Instead of tucking in both knees, only hold one knee while the other leg is straight. This will make you look like a can opener, hence the name!
For maximum splash potential, jump at an angle with a landing spot right above the butt.
360 Jump
The 360 is a fun introduction to a twisting jump. While it may seem simple, controlling your body to turn can be a bit of a challenge.
When jumping off the diving board, push your body in a twisting motion, either left or right. If a 360 is too easy don’t stop twisting until you reach the water. You might even be able to get two or 3 full spinning rotations!
Helicopter Jump
The helicopter is a fun “twist” to a 360 jump.
Extend both arms out as far as possible while jumping and starting to spin in the air. This makes it seem like your arms are the rotors of a helicopter that are starting to spin.
Intermediate Diving Board Tricks
These tricks represent the next level up in complexity and difficulty. They require a stronger understanding of how to use the diving board for leverage and height, as well as better body control and awareness in the air.
While they’re more challenging than basic tricks with twists and flips, they’re still within reach for most individuals who have mastered the basics and want to try something more daring.
Flying Squirrel
The flying squirrel leaves no thoughts to the imagination. This jump requires you to imitate a gliding squirrel!
When you jump off the board, get as much airtime as possible. Extend your arms and legs backward and hold onto your toes mid-air. A perfect photo opportunity!
Front Flip
The front flip is a “graduation trick” into the more difficult jumps. It’s a blend of athleticism, timing, and body control.
The goal of a perfectly executed front flip is the takeoff jump. You want to push off and jump with as much force as possible to give you the necessary amount of air and time to flip.
Start at the end of the diving board and take a couple of quick steps before jumping. As you jump into the air, tuck your knees up to your chest and wrap your arms around them, initiating a forward rotation. After a full rotation, extend your body and keep an eye out for the water to time the splash into the pool.
Backflip
A backflip is a rotational jump into the pool like the front flip. However, as you might have guessed, the flip is backward!
You’ll want to start at the diving board’s edge facing away from the pool for this trick. There isn’t a walking start for a backflip. Instead, it is one jump. After the jump, tuck your knees to your chest and start a backward rotation. Keep your eyes open for the water as you complete the rotation, which will help you gauge when to extend your body for the landing.
Watermelon Jump
Sometimes called a hammerhead, a watermelon is essentially an upside-down cannonball. The goal of having the biggest splash is the same!
The trick is set up like a front flip, with your knees tucked into the chest. Instead of a full rotation, only half-rotate so you land head first.
Belly Flop
While not the most graceful of tricks, the belly flop is certainly one that makes a statement. You can make a bigger statement with a belly flop contest with your friends too!
When jumping off the diving board, the key is to remain as flat as possible in mid-air, with your belly parallel to the water. Spread your arms and legs wide for stability and to maximize surface area.
While it isn’t too complicated, the impact might sting a little so it’s important to brace yourself for a bit of a splash.
360 Dive
The 360 Dive adds a spin to your standard dive, quite literally.
The trick itself starts and ends as a front dive. The difference is after you jump into the air, rotate your body sideways to complete a full 360-degree rotation before you hit the water. Keep your body extended throughout the rotation and enter the water hands-first in a clean dive.
Advanced Diving Board Tricks
Advanced diving board tricks are the most difficult and require a high degree of physical fitness, agility, and skill. These tricks often involve complex body movements in the air, such as multiple flips, twists, or a combination of several movements in a single jump.
They are challenging and thrilling to perform and watch, but they also carry a higher risk of injury if not executed properly.
As such, these tricks should only be attempted by those who are very comfortable and who understand the risks involved.
360 Front Flip
The 360 front flip is an advanced trick that combines the rotation of a 360 dive with the acrobatics of a front flip.
As you jump off the board, initiate the forward flip, tucking your knees up to your chest. Simultaneously, rotate your body sideways for a full 360-degree rotation. The challenge here is to complete the front flip while completing a full rotation before entering the water. The higher the initial jump, the better chance of a successful flip!
Double Front Flip
The double front flip is a challenging and advanced trick that requires excellent body control and big airtime!
Like a standard front flip, immediately tuck your body and initiate a fast-forward rotation after jumping off the diving board. You need to rotate twice in the air before entering the water, so height and speed are crucial. As you complete the second rotation, extend your body and prepare for a water entry.
This trick requires a lot of practice to perfect, so don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t go as planned the first few times.
Back Dive
The back dive is another elegant trick that showcases control and grace.
Stand at the edge of the board, facing away from the water. Lean backward into a slight arch and then jump off the board. As you fall back keep your body straight and arms extended above your head. Hands should enter the water first, followed by your head and body.
Gainer
The Gainer is one of the more complex and thrilling tricks to pull off of a diving board that more experienced swimmers best attempt. It involves doing a backward flip while jumping forward.
As you approach to jump off the diving board, move forward while simultaneously initiating a backward flip. The key is to propel yourself upwards and forwards but spin backward.
The gainer will take a lot of practice to get it to work. Once mastered, however, it can be a real crowd-pleaser!
Create Your Signature Move
After mastering more advanced tricks, you might crave something unique that sets your jump apart from other divers. This is where the real fun begins: creating your own signature move!
Blend different elements from various tricks and add your flair to push the boundaries of your creativity. Perhaps you want to combine the height of a 360 front flip with the precision of a back five. Or maybe you want to add a twist to the double front flip. The possibilities are endless to make a splash with a trick that is uniquely yours.
Dive Head First Into These Tricks!
Whether you’re a beginner basking in the thrill of your first can opener or an advanced showstopper creating your signature move, remember that the journey is about more than just making waves—the fun and excitement that comes with every leap, twist, and flip.
So next time you’re on the board, remember the sky’s the limit and the deep end is just the beginning!
